General Motors and Honda have formed a new partnership— to develop next-generation batteries for pure electric vehicles (EVs).
The car firms said their new “multi-year” venture is expected to develop “advanced” chemistry battery components, including battery cells and modules for next-generation battery systems to be used in GM’s EVs mainly for the North American market.
The move is the firms’ second collaborative outing after a fuel cells and hydrogen storage project.
Under the latest agreement, Honda will source battery modules with “higher energy density, smaller packaging and faster charging capabilities” from GM.
GM said the partnership would support the companies’ “respective and distinct vehicles”.
In 2013, the companies announced their first manufacturing joint venture on hydrogen fuel cell system technology, which is scheduled to head to market around 2020.
BBB reported earlier this year that Honda was said to be investing in a batteries production line for a planned hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) manufacturing programme in Thailand.